A TIME FOR SHARING “GOOD OR BAD”

IT’S A LEARNING PROCESS

I was asked to share some thoughts based upon my actions in pursuing a tax increase.  The increase was necessary because we had not pursued an increase for over eleven years, and the repercussions of 911 devastated our reserves.  Though a 58.3% increase was rather high, the income expected to start coming in within 14 months of the election would only cover expenses for two years.

We, being like all organizations, agencies, or government bodies, had no plan in place to provide direction for us to follow.  Thank heavens we are proud of our organization, and had been working on a marketing plan for exposure to one and all that we were the very best one can be at we do.  The following tools were already in place prior to the election:

• Totally involved in all community activities for positive exposure.
• Articles were written on a weekly basis for local newspapers.
• A monthly newsletter was prepared and provided to governmental offices, churches, homeowners’ associations and anyone else who was interested.
• Information was provided on our web site for all to see and the ability to interact.
• Safety messages were also placed on our web site and district vehicles.
• Partnerships were organized with private businesses, churches, service clubs, etc.
• Automatic external defibrillators (AED’s) were provided to places of occupancy (such as government areas and churches with re-training every 6 months).

• We managed to belong to as many committees or clubs as possible.
• A Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) was instituted for the community.
• Personnel were marketed via grooming, attire, attitude and services.
• We identified citizens who were active, interested and supportive for our cause.
• We identified private businesses that were supportive to distribute flyers.
• We acquired an antique vehicle and used partnerships to refurbish it for marketing.
• We set up school programs marketing our organization to children and parents.
• Consumer Satisfaction Surveys for tracking positive results and concerns from those receiving emergency medical assistance were also instituted.

Once the decision was made that the increase was necessary, we:

• Initiated meetings with elected officials to set final goals, and discuss methods to approach the final outcome.
• Avoided the General Election due to larger turn out.  Only wanted those who would support the organization to cast their vote.
• Selected a special election during the off season so the 30% to 35% of the voters out of town would have to cast an absentee ballot.
• Identified number of registered voters and households in our district.
• Identified polling sites, methods and number of people necessary to work these sites.
• Developed a flyer for distribution for marketing sites for flooding area.
• Set up speaking engagements at government meetings, homeowners, service clubs, etc.
• Reviewed past voting habits, and identified high turn out areas as priority, secondary and least effective areas in the event all areas could not be covered.
• Separated entire area in to one-quarter mile grids for effective delivery of marketing materials.
• Selected town leaders, workers and two Saturdays prior to the election to canvass neighborhoods.
• Assigned team leaders and workers for polling sites all day.
• Developed articles for news media on the need for a positive vote.
• Set up interviews for personal touch.
• Used the 5 W’s  - Who we are, What we do, Why we do it, When we do it, Where we do it!
• Increased personnel and vehicle exposure to public performing.
• Services
• The day of the election, all people viable, marketing signs, greetings.
• Phone tree, everyone on same page.  (Like a Trooper giving you a ticket!)  Thank you.

We were very successful with a 55% affirmative vote, and 45% opposed.

This was accomplished only by the efforts of the many fine people involved in this monumental task.  Together, we made a positive difference.

HOW TO ACHIEVE VOTER SUCCESS

Planning should have commenced a long time ago.
If no plan is in place, review what you have, initiate.
Department visibility, activity and successes very important.
Provide an image through uniform, grooming, attitude, service.
Exposure through response, community activities, events.
Monthly newsletters, government newsletters, activity book.
Identify all services, how received, how to obtain.
Be active in all groups, organizations and start your own.
Have a 5 to 10 year plan for success – immediate/intermediate/long range.
Utilize interested people inside and community.
Elected officials, managers and personnel on same page.
Decide on where you want to go, and how best to get there.
List all advantages and disadvantages, exert efforts accordingly.
Utilize all media resources, supporters.
Utilize small businesses, supporters.
Utilize schools – children dressed as firefighters/pictures, etc.
Utilize other departments, agencies, organizations, private.
Form partnerships on all projects.
Consider gift planning, legacy society, grants, endowments.
Establish a web site, has multi use.
Utilize vehicles for marketing safety messages, web site, etc.
Establish consumer surveys for feedback.
Utilize telephone trees through members and supporters.
Write articles for anyone and everyone.
Organize all church clergy into a cohesive group.
Develop voting plan based on past results.
Target primary, secondary and least effective.
Set dates for effective results.
Site representatives, phone trees, signs, flyers presentations, etc., very important.

VOTER SUCCESS “MYTH OR REALITY”

It has been said, “When all else fails, buy the vote.”  For those who do not have that luxury, we would like to offer up some suggestions that could bring positive results:

• Being involved in a form of government should have alerted you a long time ago that eventually you would have to be soliciting votes in one form or another to survive.
• This reality means you should have been in a constant planning process regarding internal and external issues.
• If you have no plan in place, analyze your past progress, your present position and your future desires.
• Review your organization’s visibility, services, outside or inside activities, successes, failures, and employees who are active in your communities.
• Market yourself, your people, your services, your image and your positive attitude.
• Exposure through media – recognition awards, articles, profiles of employees, involvement in community events, etc.
• Speaker’s bureau for schools, organizations.  Host or present specialty classes to benefit communities, CPR, First Aid, etc.
• Utilize monthly newsletters to other government agencies, homeowners, businesses, etc.

• Utilize the 5 W’s  - Who we are, What we do, Why we do it, When we do it, Where we do it!

• Utilize federal, state, regional grants to start safety teams, citizen teams, auxiliary teams, use Homeland Security.
• Utilize interested people in the community who have shown interest in what you do.
• Make sure elected officials, managers, and employees are on the same page before jumping in with both feet (communications).
• Form partnerships with all related groups or organizations.
• Utilize web site for all activities.
• Utilize vehicles for marketing.
• Utilize consumer surveys for feedback.
• Initiate phone tree through employees, supporters, elected officials.
• Determine areas for saturation, develop map in quarter sections.
• Review election dates or special elections.  Make determination on best date based on issues and expected turn out.
• Utilize past voting results based upon affiliate group and turn out.
• Develop primary, secondary or least productive areas and when you want to deliver your marketing blitz.
• Select team leaders and workers by availability with planned direction and expected results for coverage.
• Have focal point for all to communicate with, be viable, provide support in food, drink and re-hab.
• On Election Day, have poll workers, specific assignments, expected times at sites, marketing materials and support.
• Have phone tree working on all perspective supporters.
• If possible, offer transportation to and from polling sites.